Symptoms of Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers disease
progresses slowly, and changes take place gradually over time. People can live with Alzheimers disease for 3-25 years, although the average duration of the disease is about 8-10 years. In general, changes can be characterized in three phases.

Early Phase

Subtle changes occur, but the problem is sometimes hard to pinpoint. More often, family members recognize these changes rather than the patients themselves. Common changes may include:

Forgetfulness and attempts to hide frequent forgetting

Misplacing things

Getting lost while driving

Loss of interest in hobbies

Difficulty concentrating

Inability to recall words

Decrease in sentence complexity

Problems with mathematical calculations

Getting lost in familiar surroundings

Difficulty with tasks that require fine motor ability, such as putting a key in the keyhole or buttoning a shirt

Difficulty in dealing with daily life tasks, such as managing finances, tending to household tasks, maintaining personal hygiene

Repeating questions and stories

Nonsensical wordy speech

Naming difficulties

Depressed mood

Middle Phase

Impairments in memory and mental functioning become more obvious. Long-term memory may still be intact, but short-term memory fails. Other changes include:

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.